Workflow Queue Notification via Instant Messaging Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current workflow management systems rely on asynchronous notification methods, such as electronic mail and manual browser refreshes, which require users to actively check for queue items, lacking real-time monitoring and integration with the workflow process.
Innovation Solution
A method that integrates a workflow management system with an instant messaging system, allowing real-time monitoring of queues by registering each queue with the instant messaging system, establishing presence, and pushing queue information to a client as an updated contact list, enabling users to receive notifications about the number of items in their queues without manual checking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If electronic mail is used for notification, then users can be informed of queue items, but the notification is asynchronous and lacks real-time integration with the workflow management system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical email notification system with an instant messaging system that provides real-time, interactive notifications. The IM system establishes presence information for queues and pushes notifications immediately when items are added, eliminating the asynchronous delay inherent in email-based notifications.
2Ease of operation
If browser refresh is used to check queue contents, then users can view queue items, but manual checking is required and user engagement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service notification where the workflow management system automatically pushes queue status information to users through the instant messaging system without requiring manual intervention. The presence information and notifications are automatically updated and delivered, eliminating the need for users to manually refresh browser pages.
3Device complexity
If asynchronous pull technology is used for notification, then system integration is simplified, but real-time monitoring capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an instant messaging system as an intermediary between the workflow management system and users. This intermediary establishes presence information for queues and facilitates real-time bidirectional communication, enabling reliable real-time monitoring while maintaining relatively simple integration through standard IM protocols and APIs.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of monitoring queues in real time can include building a master list specifying available queues, wherein each queue within the master list is associated with a user, and registering each queue specified by the master list with an instant messaging system. The method further can include sending, to a client, a secondary list of queues associated with a particular user and selected from the master list. The secondary list can be formatted as an instant messaging contact list. A presence on the instant messaging system can be established for each queue specified by the secondary list. The method also can include obtaining queue information for queues specified by the master list and making the queue information, for queues specified by the secondary list, available to the client via the instant messaging system.